Dr. Morton Cooper, Psychiatrist

HOLLYWOOD — Dr. Morton Cooper, a psychiatrist with the Hollywood Police Department, died early Saturday of polycystic kidney disease. He was 64.

His job was to administer psychological tests to potential police recruits and evaluate officers assigned to high-stress duty such as the SWAT team.

But during his two-decade tenure, Dr. Cooper also was called to a crime scene several times to help police persuade a barricaded suspect to surrender, to calm a potential suicide victim, or to negotiate for the release of hostages.

Dr. Cooper, of Hallandale, is survived by his daughter, Susan Katz, and a brother, Irving Cooper. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. today at Levitt-Weinstein Funeral Home's East Hollywood Chapel, 1921 Pembroke Road. Burial will follow at Beth David Memorial Gardens, 3201 N. 72nd Ave.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Polycystic Kidney Research Foundation, 922 Walnut, Suite 411, Kansas City, Mo. 64106.